The board of directors of the Patrick Henry School for Science and Arts tightened its financial belt a few notches Tuesday night.
During its monthly budget and audit committee meeting, the board started a committee to create financial policies and procedures, listened to a presentation about financial tracking software and introduced an accountant. "We're finally getting some controls in place," said board member Antione M. Green.
Minus those controls, the school, which is the first charter elementary school in state history, was hit with a Virginia State Police investigation into mismanagement of a student activity fund controlled by the school's principal.
The police agency was notified of possible discrepancies in March. In June, Principal Pamela Boyd was placed on paid administrative leave just as the school was wrapping up its first year.
State police spokeswoman Corrine Geller said Tuesday that the investigation into embezzlement allegations is ongoing. She did not make available any details.
A big part of the belt-tightening could come from a package of software and hardware that is typically used to track lunchroom purchases and to manage student accounts. The package, which is used by the city school system, also can be used to collect and track money for everything from field trips to yearbooks.
The software allows parents to pay for such purchases online or by telephone, eliminating the need for students to bring payments to school.
"If that had been in place, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Green said after the meeting.
The committee is supposed to "examine our financial controls and procedures and come up with a policy manual," said Sharon Burton, president of the school's board of directors.
The board is taking nominations for committee members. Other details are pending the formation of a set group of participants.
Filling vacancies
Interim Principal Loretha Taylor said the school had filled four of the eight staff openings, found a long-term substitute for another slot and that candidates had been interviewed for the other positions.
The school lost three teachers after last school year. During the summer break, the school's guidance counselor and special-education teacher also left. Because of increased enrollment, the school also needed to hire additional staff, making for the eight openings.
Boyd's contract
Boyd's contract was renewed for the 2011-12 school year, at the rate of $78,465, with the renewal apparently happening before Boyd was placed on leave. Her name appeared on the Richmond school system's reappointment list for 2011-12.
Patrick Henry employees are technically school-system employees, and their paychecks go through system's payroll.
Kristen Larson, vice president of the Patrick Henry board, said there is "no assigned end date" for Boyd's leave.
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